Brad Stevens is getting busy again. After salary-dumping Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz, the Celtics wasted no time converting Amari Williams from his two-way contract.
Williams, 24, was the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 13 games for the Celtics this year, making two starts. But it’s his action with the Maine Celtics that has truly turned some heads.
In 21 total G-League appearances, Williams is averaging 15.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He’s also averaging 2.5 stocks per game. Williams has flashed a lot of playmaking potential, explosive roll-man play, and the kind of dribble handoff initiation that the Celtics are looking for with the big club.
Williams’ signing was the first order of business after trading Chris Boucher, as the Celtics look to trim the roster and extinguish their tax obligations. His salary is also an interesting number that indicates their plans before their deadline.
The C’s have already traded Josh Minott away to the Nets. If they trade away two more minimum-level deals (think Luka Garza/Xavier Tillman), they’d be $1.7 million under the tax. Amari’s new contract fits in neatly under that number. It’s no coincidence that they’re shoring up the big man rotation in anticipation of dumping more of their minimum-level bigs.
Williams’ signing may look like the product of clever tax dumping, but that is a bonus for Boston to locking up one of their promising young players. Amari looks like a developmental win and a home run for a second-round draft pick; here’s hoping he can showcase that down the stretch of the season.